Population
Survey-dependent
Check the year and coverage of any population estimate
Reindeer in East Iceland
Introduced from Norway in 1771, wild reindeer herds roam the highlands and valleys of East Iceland, the only region where they are found.
Location
East Iceland
Snæfell, Fljótsdalshérað, near Egilsstaðir
Quick Answer
Wild reindeer live in East Iceland following eighteenth-century introductions from Norway. Winter sightings are best between Egilsstaðir and Djúpivogur.
Iceland's reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) are the descendants of animals imported from Norway between 1771 and 1787. Originally brought for domestic farming in the style of Scandinavian Sámi herding, the proposed herding arrangements were never implemented and the animals lived wild from the beginning. While herds were once scattered across northern and eastern Iceland, the surviving population is confined to the eastern part of the country, ranging from the highland areas around Snæfell mountain down to the lowland valleys near Egilsstaðir. Unlike their Scandinavian cousins, Icelandic reindeer are entirely wild and unmanaged beyond an annual population-control hunt.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This guide is a travel-planning summary, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly; check official alerts, roads, and weather before driving, hiking, or booking around volatile conditions.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Introduced
1771–1787
Originally imported from Norway for farming, now fully wild
Range
East Iceland
The only region where reindeer are found in Iceland
What to Expect
Population estimates need a survey year
Use a dated monitoring report rather than an undated national total. Survey coverage, season and management area matter.
Best viewing: November-March (roadside)
Easiest sightings in winter when herds descend to lower elevations. Route 1 between Egilsstaðir and Djúpivogur offers the best roadside chances, especially early morning and late evening.
Summer viewing: highlands near Snæfell
In summer (June-August), reindeer graze in highland pastures above 500m around Snæfell mountain. Sightings require hiking into remote areas and are less predictable. No marked viewing sites.
Specific locations
Primary range: Fljótsdalshérað district around Egilsstaðir, highland areas around Snæfell mountain, valleys toward Djúpivogur. Found only in East Iceland, nowhere else in the country.
Rut season: September-October
Bulls compete for females with antler clashing and displays. Larger groups form during the rut, though herds are still in the highlands.
Calving: May
Calves born in May can stand within hours. Mothers are protective. Both sexes grow antlers; bulls shed in winter, cows keep theirs through spring to protect calves.
Where to See Them
Reindeer are found exclusively in East Iceland; do not confuse Snæfell mountain (East Iceland) with Snæfellsjökull (Snæfellsnes peninsula, West Iceland). For roadside viewing, drive Route 1 between Egilsstaðir and Berufjörður (approximately 100 km, no 4WD required). This stretch of the Ring Road passes through lowland areas where herds descend in winter. Early morning and late evening are best. The East Iceland Heritage Museum in Egilsstaðir has exhibits on reindeer history. For summer viewing, highland hiking routes around Snæfell mountain (accessed via Route 910 or F-road 923; 4WD required for F-roads) offer sighting chances, though reindeer are unpredictable. Egilsstaðir is the nearest service town, reachable by domestic flights from Reykjavík (1 hour) or by driving Route 1 (8-9 hours).
Best Time to Visit
November-March: Easiest roadside viewing as herds descend to lower elevations near Route 1. Herds of 20-100+ animals possible. Daylight is limited to 4-7 hours in midwinter, so plan drives accordingly. September-October: Rut season brings larger aggregations in the highlands; bulls at their most active; antlers fully developed. June-August: Reindeer scattered across highland pastures above 500m; sightings require hiking and are less predictable. April-May: Calving season; cows with newborn calves in sheltered valleys; transitional period between highland and lowland ranges. Regardless of season, early morning and late evening are the most active times for reindeer movement. Drive carefully on Route 1 in East Iceland: reindeer may be on or near the road, especially in low light.
Wild from the beginning
The Natural History Institute’s species account says the proposed herding arrangements never took place. The four introductions had different outcomes; the eastern herd chiefly descends from the animals landed at Vopnafjörður in 1787, with probable contributions from the earlier northeastern group.
The same account describes calving in May–June and females returning to calving areas from late April. Give those groups space. Its population figures are historical and must not be presented as a 2026 census or a guarantee of roadside sightings.
Planning help
Reindeer FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
How did reindeer end up in Iceland?
Reindeer were brought from Norway in four introductions between 1771 and 1787. The Natural History Institute explains that proposed herding arrangements were never implemented: the animals have lived wild in Iceland from the beginning. The surviving eastern population traces chiefly to the 1787 Vopnafjörður introduction, probably joined by remnants of the northeastern herd.
Where can I see reindeer in Iceland?
Reindeer are found exclusively in East Iceland, primarily in the highland areas around Snæfell mountain, the Fljótsdalshérað district, and the valleys around Egilsstaðir. In winter, herds descend to lower elevations and can sometimes be seen from Route 1 (the Ring Road) in the east. The area between Egilsstaðir and Djúpivogur offers the best roadside sighting chances.
Are reindeer hunted in Iceland?
Reindeer hunting is regulated through annual permits and quotas. A current population estimate needs a survey year and coverage; this guide does not establish a 2026 count or a fixed 3,000-animal management target. Consult the current authorities for hunting rules rather than using a wildlife-viewing article as a permit guide.
Can I approach or feed wild reindeer?
No, you should never approach or attempt to feed wild reindeer. They are shy animals and will flee if humans get too close, wasting energy they need for survival. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens from a distance. If you encounter reindeer near the road, slow down and do not honk or flash lights. Feeding wildlife is prohibited in Iceland.
For more context on Iceland’s people and rural life, explore our Iceland statistics.